Website
Free Subscription!
Click here to
learn more!
Free Subscription!
Click here to
learn more!
|
| Scottsdale Camelback Resort |
| |
by Sharon B. Drechsler, RRP
owner/operator
Drechsler Communications
|
| |
Most resorts talk about maintaining a family atmosphere; however, for many it’s just talk. The three-part vision statement at Scottsdale Camelback Resort is as follows: “To create a truly memorable vacation for each visitor regardless of their age – To effectively manage the continued financial investment in the resort by our owners, whether they be active or passive in their interest – To maintain a work environment that encourages each associate to perform, at their maximum capacity, because it is rewarding to do so.” Every member of the team of Associates put together by Pro Management at the resort is committed to making that vision a reality. That’s why “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet”, until you’ve actually seen the Scottsdale Camelback Resort. There’s nothing forced about the care and concern that flows throughout the resort – from top to bottom. This is a rare phenomenon and only occurs in a well-managed resort.
A lot of credit must go to the continuing existence of a solid HOA Board of Directors and wise direction and leadership from key individuals such as Pro Management’s President Jerry Sikes, the resort General Manager Lori Entwistle (profiled in the March 2009 issue of Resort Trades), Director of Marketing and Public Relations Clark Rowley, and Director of Operations Eric Downey.
The property was built as a purpose-built timeshare resort in the early ‘80s, went through a failed Developer, a failed Joint Venture, the Savings and Loan debacle, and jurisdiction of both the FSLIC and the Resolution Trust Corporation. Jerry Sikes came to Western Savings & Loan Association when the original developer failed, to oversee the workout and act as the developer to finish the project. As such, he guided the resort through its reincarnation from being a failed project to becoming one of the country’s most successful, single-site timeshare projects.
Jerry’s thick Kentucky drawl and Colonel Saunders-like appearance (rosy-cheeked, white hair and big smile) put one in mind of the Southerner’s adage, “Talk slowly, think quickly.” In addition to having a mind for marketing, figures and managing the bottom line, Sikes is well-known throughout the timeshare industry for championing people. He almost radiates an aura of support for homeowners; for resort managers, their staffs and for the industry. He is currently Chairman of ARDA-Arizona and serves on several ARDA committees.
One gathers his leadership by example is one of the primary reasons for the familial atmosphere at Scottsdale Camelback. Other leaders setting and maintaining this tone are the GM Lori and Directors Clark and Eric. An accomplished and highly organized manager, Entwistle is the kind of leader that keeps her crew as energized as she is, by coming up with new ways to keep them motivated and consumer-centric. Rowley is Mr. Connections, with solid relationships with key individuals in the local visitors’ bureau, holding such posts as past-president of HSMAI-Arizona Chapter and by involvement in ARDA and ARDA-Arizona. Most recently, he has accepted the role of chairman of an AIF Professional Development Committee. Downey is the detail man that heads up major resort functions such as housekeeping, engineering and all IT functions. Sikes, Entwistle and Rowley have achieved their RRP designations from ARDA.
Located near Scottsdale’s picturesque Old Town and within walking distance of the area’s best-healed mall, Scottsdale Fashion Square (anchored by Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom’s, among others), the resort is in Scottsdale, close to Paradise Valley, the Arizona equivalent of Beverly Hills. Visitors can tour dozens of art galleries, take a jeep or bike tour, explore the Native American heritage at the nearby Phoenix-based Heard Museum, explore Desert Botanical Gardens or even go hot air ballooning. Of course, golf is considered the prime entertainment in the region and the resort’s concierge can help get excellent tee times for guests through several key relationships developed over the years. The resort recently joined in partnership with the world-renown Camelback Golf Club. If observing sports is more their thing, Phoenix has every manner of professional team, including baseball, football and ice hockey. Several professional baseball teams make this their home for spring training.
When guests want to relax at ‘home,’ their little piece of Paradise has plenty to keep anyone busy. The resort offers the Kokopelli Trail that winds throughout the resort grounds for a morning stroll and a playground for younger visitors. Vacationers can challenge one another to a game of horseshoes; play ball of all kinds, from tennis to miniature golf, an executive putting green, croquet, volleyball, bocce ball and tether ball or just lounge at the pool (heated, of course). In fact, with the poolside restaurant and bar, they need never leave the pool area at all. With cozy conversation areas strewn throughout and the site of activities such as learning to play the Native American Flute, the resort’s pool inevitably becomes the central gathering place for guests during their stay. At the end of the day, they’ll be ready for a soothing massage in the resort’s Running Water Spa, followed by a break in the dry heat sauna or whirlpool.
Guests invariably give the resort top ratings on their comment cards, complimenting the friendly staff, spotless units and desert garden-style landscaping. One couple from Anchorage wrote, “Gerry, the concierge, is great and was so helpful!” Another from Seattle wrote, “The pool staff, Mark and Ida, were great!!! They took great care of us and made us feel at home. The location near Camelback Mountain is great for hiking and my wife loved the mall right down the road. We’ve already booked our reservation for next year!” A small group from Ohio wrote they found the staff friendly and accommodating and the villa to be clean, comfortable and well supplied. “We were able to take a couple of day trips, did some great shipping, went to the theater, rented movies on-site and ate some great food (the burgers at the pool bar-and-restaurant are the ‘BEST’)…. We will definitely go back. Thanks for the great week.” “Management should be proud of the staff. They were wonderful,” writes another. And, “The accommodations were perfect!”
With senior management’s 160 plus years of experience in the industry, they have reached beyond the traditional timeshare management to expand services for owners and guests. By creating such revenue centers this generates additional income into the general fund which offsets the annual assessments and makes Scottsdale Camelback Resort a desirable destination. Many resort management companies have used Scottsdale Camelback Resort as a model for their own property improvements. The team at Scottsdale Camelback Resort is always available to share their experiences with other industry professionals.
www.scottsdalecamelback.com
|
|
|
|
Print this page
